A Super-Sized Rebellion

Most of us enjoy a good cheeseburger or chicken sandwich. It’s in American blood. However, a thirst for money is also a natural trait for American consumers.

This past April, employees across the nation defiantly displayed their raging hunger for more income. Workers of various fast-food chains, such as Burger King and Wendy’s, walked off their job sites with posters in hand to protest what they consider to be unfair pay. The first strike happened in November, when about 200 workers walked off the job in New York.

Earlier this year, strikes popped up in Midwestern cities, including Chicago and Detroit. The strikes have spread to 50 cities across the country and are not slowing down anytime soon. These activists are demanding higher wages for entry-level positions, as high as $15 per hour. That is barely over double the minimum wage of $7.25 in Arkansas.

When I first heard about these protests, I was honestly happy. Being an employee at a fast-food chain, I can say that getting paid double what I do now excites me. Then, I thought about the consequences of the increase.

In order to compensate for the higher wages, franchises would have to raise the prices of their products. They also have to pay royalties to corporations, causing even greater prices for customers. You also have to put yourself in the owners’ shoes. They, too, have to make a living. If they are struggling to pay royalties and still give reasonable prices to the public, why should we pile higher wage on top of that?

Even if you could get thousands of store operators to sit down and agree to specific wage increases, the most they could afford is a raise of $1 an hour, spread over three years, said John Gordon, principal of Pacific Management Consulting Group, who has advised franchisees for 30 years.

My belief is that workers should get treated fairly. They should have a meal provided every shift they work. And, maybe there could be a wage increase to some extent. If an employee works at a location for a year, they deserve better pay. However, doubling wage for all employees would only make debt and the economy even more of a challenge. If they demand more income, maybe they could get it at a set pace, instead of all at once.

The hard truth is that slinging burgers at your town’s McDonald’s is not a million-dollar career. If someone wants more money in the bank, they are just going to have to work for it. Sometimes, benefits have to be earned.

Back in my grandmother’s day, employees earned a whopping dollar or so an hour. This is a shining example of how every employee of America should just be thankful for any job. Sometimes, it may be hard or you may not like it. But, just remember that somewhere out there, there is a person who would love to be in your position.

Another possibility to manipulate your income to your standards would be the old-fashioned way—education. With a degree, anyone can make really good money along with having a job they enjoy.

Do you love your job? Do you believe higher pay is necessary or do you think fair treatment is sufficient? I would love to get feedback via email.